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Before our upcoming reunion I would like to suggest a project called WHAT BECAME OF US.

Basically, what we dreamed of becoming leaving high school and where we ended up. A brief explanation on the evolution of you.

Example: Neil Ruttenberg -- I wanted to write books or movies in high school. That's all I ever dreamed about. That's exactly where I ended up with a few detours in the beginning. I managed to write 32 screenplays (paid to write 20), 10 plays, four novels and 47 songs.

For others perhaps it was the road not taken.

Bob Alexander became an attorney. Did he always want to go into law? Was there another alternate history he would have liked to have lived?

Tell me what you think.

Neil Ruttenberg

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Hi fellow classmates, I just updated my profile since moving to Maryland in May 2022.
Take care & stay well. deb

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Indie Reader says:
Neil Ruttenberg's riveting crime novel, NEVER GROW UP, features a disturbing serial-killer in a version of 'Peter Pan' that is quite relevant to what's actually befalling way too many young people in society today.

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Ode to the 50th

By Valerie (Schroeck) Geesaman

50 Year Reunion. The time went by so fast!
I can't be there to celebrate, nor see friends from the past.

I couldn't find my yearbook to help me recognize
the once familiar faces with whom I had school ties.

I can barely know myself, while looking in the mirror.
It seems my Grandma has returned. Of that, I can't be surer!

“That is not I” my brain shouts out. I'm too young to have those wrinkles.
It's good I now have cataracts, so I don't see all the crinkles!

Wait a minute. It's not so bad. The years go by. Who's counting?
I still can ride my silly mare, though I need a step for mounting.

I take my dog for daily runs. The golf cart, I do drive.
She's way too fast for me (on foot.) I might not stay alive!

My knees are shot from years ago, while running 10K races.
But, it's okay. I feel alright, while wearing my knee braces.

Getting old is not for sissies. The saying proves so true.
It's challenging, to say the least. Just read “Medicare & You.”

To sum it up, I'll do my best to be an optimist,
and get myself in better shape for Reunion 55th!

Have fun, everyone!

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Check out my first novel on Amazon. It's called Six Gun Mojo. I'd post a link, but I don't know how. - Neil Ruttenberg

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I shall always remember Mme Brann. She was a wonderful teacher, and a fine, kind human being. And boy did she love French! Mme Brann not only taught me my first words in the French language, but she shared in the most memorable, incomparably enthusiastic way the French culture to a bunch of largely unknowing Texas kids. It had a profound effect on me. I continued studying French at university; spent my junior year in Pau and Paris in an Education Abroad Program through the University of California; have spent many and my best vacations in Paris, Bretagne and Menton; and both my girls went through French schools. All this started in her classroom, to which she would bring baguettes (not “French bread”) and fromage, Charles Aznavour (she was in love with him) records, as well as Edith Piaf’'s, and of course films de Jean-Louis Trintignant. I’m sure she would have brought Chateauneuf du Pape if it was a college class. What love of the subject, what enthusiasm she projected! I loved going to her class, and it’'s one of the few classes I can actually close my eyes and conjure up many memories of actually being in class— more than 45 years later. She didn’'t teach us just about a language, she introduced us to one of the great cultures of the world.
Je suis très désolé I never reached out to you, Mme Brann, and thanked you for what I learned from you and what it has meant to me over the years. BTW, I can still recite my Paul Verlaine you taught me by heart:

La lune blanche
Luit dans les bois ;
De chaque branche
Part une voix
Sous la ramée...
Ô bien-aimée.
L’étang reflète,
Profond miroir,
La silhouette
Du saule noir
Où le vent pleure...
Rêvons, c’est l’heure.

Un vaste et tendre
Apaisement
Semble descendre
Du firmament
Que l’astre irise...
C’est l’heure exquise.

Adieu, Madame 
Votre étudiant, Roger Swanson

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From Chuck Sullivan:

Guys, Gals, who would have believed it ? That we would be around in 2012 ! I don't plan on "checking out" anytime soon. But I am grateful for the wonderful friends and acquaintances I have met along my journey. I feel blessed to have attended Woodridge, A.H. Junior High and A.H. High School...with so many wonderful people. I miss Doug Taylor, my next door neighbor and childhood bicycle riding buddy. I reflect on past friends, alive and dead. They have all contributed to who we are. I wish all of you, your children and grandkids, a healthy and prosperous 2012. Gail, I thank you for being such a wonderful sister. Chris (Hummel), I thank you for being such an awesome, awesome friend. Bob(West) thanks for patching me up last year ... from my two bicycle accidents .Gary(Gates) thanks for your friendship. And if any of you classmates feel down, drop a call or shoot an email. Hell, Chris and I need an excuse to ride our motorcycles.(and no, California, Washington or New England are NOT too far) Your friend, chuck

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I am looking for Olmos' for 1967,1968 and 1969 but don't know where to search. If anyone out there would like to sell them-I'd be happy to buy them. If anyone knows whether AHISD has any surplus supply (ludicrous,huh?),please steer me in the right direction.Thank you very much, Gabrielle Peak gdeep333@gmail.com

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Many of you may remember Bill Swinny from our years at Alamo Heights. Don Reser has provided us with a most informative link that recognizes the many achievements of Bill and his wife Frances throughout their illustrious careers in the field of drama, including a prestigious award bestowed on them in October of 2010. Enjoy!                                    Randy Lockwood

http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/swinnys_to_be_recognized_at_globe_awards_104498809.html

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To All Classmates:  We've had several recent Email bounce backs.  Please update your email addresses if no longer valid.  Also, please add our Class of 1969 emails to your contacts or safe senders folder so they won't end up in the junk or spam section.  Finally, to all of our classmates that haven't submitted an email address to our site, please consider doing so. Its the easiest way to keep in touch!

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I just thought it might be a good time to post our memories of Chalfant Peak. Mine is a little off-color and involves my education regarding a certain human bodily function upon viewing a common word for said bodily function on the back of the seat in front of us as Chalfant and I rode together on the bus to the symphony together in 4th grade, I think. Chalfant provided the graphic definition of the term; I was incredulous, but ultimately, grateful for the info. Thank you Chalfant, for assisting my entrance into adulthood. I wish you the most peaceful journey into the Beyond and will remember you always as wiser than me.

                                                                                      Nancy Johnson Nystrom